Adele is one of the most successful singers of her generation.
In this article, we will be ranking Adele’s albums and taking a closer look at what makes each one special.
From the emotionally charged 25, to the heartbreak-inspired 21, and the self-discovery themed 19, each album showcases Adele’s unique talent.
Whether you’re a dedicated fan or new to Adele’s music, this ranking will give you a deeper understanding of her artistry and help guide you through her discography.
Adele’s Albums Ranked
25 (2015)
Widely regarded as the most confident and emotionally charged of Adele’s albums, 25 takes its rightful place at the top of our list.
Adele’s immortal soulful pop album is beloved by dedicated Adele fans and casual listeners alike, making it an excellent place to start experiencing Adele.
As the best-selling album of 2015, 25 sold nearly 1.5 million copies in just one day. The album later went on to sell 17.4 million copies within the year.
According to Adele, 25 was partially inspired by Ray of Light, an album written by Madonna after becoming a mother. 25 was written with the aim of showcasing her return to herself after becoming a mother.
With timeless themes of self-rediscovery and love, 25’s sound is an impressive blend of heart-wrenching ballads and up-tempo melodies, making for a raw and emotionally honest album.
Though 25 features well-known tracks such as When We Were Young and Water Under the Bridge, the most popular song on 25 is Hello.
21 (2011)
Next on our list is Adele’s second album, 21. Though 19 was her debut album, 21 is the album that truly kicked off Adele’s fame with tracks such as Somebody Like You and Rumour Has It.
As it stands, 21 has broken multiple records in terms of album sales. In 2011, the year of its release, 21 was the best-selling album of the year.
Originally written in response to separation from an unnamed partner, 21’s lyrics tackle themes of heartbreak and rebirth.
21 experiments with different genres, taking inspiration from the genres of R&B and country while still maintaining the signature sound that Adele fans know and love.
Tracks like Rolling in the Deep and Set Fire to the Rain work well with Adele’s strong voice, playing to her wide range and displaying her astounding vocal prowess.
21 features many hits, the most well-known of which is the lead single on her album. Rolling in the Deep has been covered by multiple artists, including Linkin Park and Kelly Clarkson.
19 (2008)
As Adele’s first album, 19 holds a special place in the hearts of many Adele fans.
Coupled with a gentle melody and heartfelt lyrics, 19 takes inspiration from the sounds of jazz and indie pop to begin developing Adele’s signature style.
At the 2009 Grammys, Chasing Pavements won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and was nominated for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
Many of Adele’s lyrics in 19 reveal the pain and hurt left behind by previous relationships but the album also pays tribute to Adele’s years of self-discovery.
While 19 doesn’t highlight Adele’s vocal range as well as her later albums, it does demonstrate an incredible talent for songwriting, something that is especially impressive given her young age at the time.
The most popular track on Adele’s 19 remains Hometown Glory, a song inspired by Adele’s appreciation for her hometown and how it helped to shape her.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Adele’s albums 25, 21, and 19 have made a lasting impact on the music industry and on fans alike.
We highly recommend taking the time to listen to each of these albums and appreciate the depth and emotion in Adele’s music – and we hope you feel our ranking.